Wisconsin voting issues

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Election and registration information


Same-day registration

In Wisconsin you may register at the polling place on election day.

If you wish to register to vote at your polling place, you must bring proof that you have lived at your present location for at least 10 days preceding the election. For purposes of voter registration, acceptable forms of proof of residence (see ID requirements below) must include:

  1. A current and complete name, including both the given and family name; and
  2. A current and complete residential address, including a numbered street address, if any, and the name of a municipality.


ID requirements

Documents you can use as proof of residence include:

  • a current and valid Wisconsin driver’s license.
  • a current and valid Wisconsin I.D. card.
  • any other official I.D. card or license issued by a Wisconsin governmental body or unit.
  • any employer-issued photo I.D. card, issued in the normal course of business, but not including a business card.
  • a university, college or technical college fee card or I.D. card with your photo and current address. **
May be used even if the card does not contain the cardholder’s address, if the educational institution provides a certified student list for use at the polling place
  • a utility bill (e.g., gas, electric, cable TV or telephone) for the period commencing not earlier than 90 days before election day.
  • a bank statement
  • a real estate (i.e., property) tax bill or receipt for the current year or the year preceding the date of the election
  • a current residential lease which is effective for a period that includes election day (NOT for first-time voters registering by mail, however).
  • a pay check or a government check or other document issued by unit of government.

Whatever form of proof you supply must contain a complete name, including both the first and last name; and a current and complete residential address, including a numbered street address, if any, and the name of a municipality. Forms which have an expiration date must be valid on election day in order to constitute acceptable proof of residence at that election.

If you don’t have written proof, bring a friend (with identification) who lives in the same municipality. This person can serve as a corroborator (witness) to verify your address. He or she does not need to be a registered voter but must provide proof of residence, which must be in the same municipality.

If you cannot provide the required proof of residence and are not able to provide a state issued ID or ID number for verification you can cast a provisional ballot. You can then bring in ID before deadline, and the vote is counted.

Provisional voting

If your name does not appear on the voter list at your polling place, you must complete a voter registration application before you will be allowed to vote.[1] If you cannot provide the required proof of residence and are not able to provide a state issued ID or ID number for verification you can cast a provisional ballot. You can then bring in ID before deadline, and the vote is counted.

The provisional ballot is counted if the voter provides the election authority with his/her driver’s license number, either in person or via telephone, fax, or email before 4:00pm on the day after the election.

Voting Machines used November, 2008 in Wisconsin

Wisconsin uses the following voting machines in addition to hand-counted paper ballots in some counties. For a county-by-county list of the specific machines (and the source for this section) see Verified Voting's Verifier tool.

Main article: Voting machines

Paper ballot marking machines with electronic interface:

Direct-Recording Electronic (DRE) machines with a paper trail:

Optical scan machines:

Governmental election authorities

Government Accountability Board

Contact information:

  • Elections Division - Wisconsin Government Accountability Board
  • 17 West Main Street, Suite 310
  • PO Box 2973
  • Madison, Wisconsin 53701-2973
  • Phone: 608-266-8005 FAX: 608-267-0500
  • gab@wi.gov

Elections Division Voter Information


Election threats

Summary
  • On voter registration, Common Cause says parts of Wisconsin's voter registration are "unsatisfactory" and others are "mixed."
  • On voter education, Common cause warns that Wisconsin's voter ed system is "unsatisfactory."
  • On absentee and early voting, there are allegations that the McCain campaign mailed faulty absentee ballots to Democrats.
  • On voter suppression and intimidation, Common Cause warns that some of Wisconsin's preparedness is "unsatisfactory." Wisc. Atty General, also co-chair of McCain camoaign, files suit designed to tie up polls on election day. Oct 25, judge tosses suit.
  • On polling places and voting, (needs information)
  • On provisional ballots, Common Cause warns that some of Wisconsin's preparedness is "unsatisfactory."
  • On vote verification and security,... (needs information)
Main article: Wisconsin election threats


State and local non-governmental organizations

Fair Elections Wisconsin

Website: http://www.fairelectionswi.com/

Contact information:


League of Women Voters

LWV of Wisconsin, Melanie Ramey, President

  • 122 State Street, Suite. 405
  • Madison, WI 53703-2500
  • Phone: 608-256-0827
  • Fax: 608-256-2853
  • E-mail: lwvwisconsin@lwvwi.org
  • http://www.lwvwi.org

Local Leagues:

Articles and resources

See also


References

  1. From Wisconsin Government Accountability Board's Voting FAQs

External resources

Poll location

Election Protection hotlines

Voting information

Voting rights

Voting requirements

Election officials, election reform groups, and elected officials

Absentee voting

Disabled voters

Student voting rights

State ballot

  • See how organizations you trust recommend you vote on ballot measures and other statewide contests at TransparentDemocracy.

Languages

  • Help in other languages from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission. 中文, 日本語, 한국어, Tagalog, Tiếng Việt, Español

Voting machines

Election law


Voter Protection Laws in A Nutshell

Other resources

  • Wisconsin Vote has a number of valuable resources for Wisconsin voters, including links to information on how to register and where to vote.

External articles